How good is the Technics 1200 Mk2 with all the KAb upgrades?

Chakster,

Thanks for the input. A knowledgeable friend set up my rega 251 on my 1200 with the feickert protractor so I’m pretty sure that it’s set up properly as my clumsy attempt was way off upon his inspection.

Good point re the jelco arm cost. Might as well save up for the GR which I’ve been looking at for quite some time. Or I could buy more records! I constantly find myself vacillating between those two thoughts: new TT or more records?

Lastly, since the thread is about KAB mods. What is the general concencus on the outboard PSU? Is there a marked difference? I already have quiet and black background (as far as my ears can tell). Thanks in advance!

I've never tried outboard PSU on my pair of 22 years old SL1210mkII (i'm the first owner), since i have upgraded everything myself (rewired them and added Isonoe footers) i only bought Fluid Dampers from KAB. I think it's much more important to invest in cartridge and phono stage first than in PSU. I ended up buying SP-10 mkII with different tonearms when i realized the limitation of the modded SL1210mkII. In my opinion it is more reasonable to buy another turntable when the SL1210mkII mods cost too much. Paid $1200 for SP-10 mkII in mint condition, fully original. The SL1210 mkII with all the mods can NOT compete with SP-10 mkII    

@chakster Great deal there! Doubt too many of those pop up at that price. I paid $3k for my SP10mk2, but that was fully recapped / restored and included terrific EPA250 tone and a cheap Technics cart. 
A sizeable budget gap vs. the KAB even with many mods. I guess the 1200g now fills that gap well for those in that budget range. Cheers,
Spencer 

Chakster,

Thank you for your comments on the PSU and for bringing up those points. Echoing what @sbank said, that's a great deal for a SP10mk2!

I also reached out to Kevin of KAB and this is his reply re external PSU:

You should place the needle in the leadout groove of a record, platter
standing still, and turn the volume up listening for a distinct hum. If you
don't hear it, then you know your power transformer is quiet. If you do hear
it, the external PS will certainly solve that.

There is a faint hum but I think its coming from my tube phonostage and because its present whether or not the needle is dropped.

Well the you can hear the hum only at MAXIMUM volume which we don’t use in real life in the living room. Also in addition you’re hearing a hum from the phono stage and amp as you said.

Also your music is not at the "leadout groove" on the record, this is actually the end of the music and the record :)

If you want a better turntable buy SP-10 mkII used for $1200-1500 this is more than realistic price on the used market. I bought mine on ebay about 5-7 years ago. Then invest in a proper tonearm, custom plinth etc (that was mine with Reed 3p "12 toneam and custom teak wood plinth). This is another level of sound quality comapred to cheap SL1210 mkII even after all the mods. Or simply buy new SL1200G

I love Technics, but my favorite Direct Drive is Luxman PD-444